She was born January 24, 1930, the oldest daughter of the late Eugene and Nellie Canady of Clayton, NC. She graduated from Clayton High School and attended Peace College. Helen retired as Purchasing Agent of University Graphics of NCSU in Raleigh. She was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church, Clayton, NC. She loved her church and served faithfully for many years. She was most proud of her three children, whom she always showed unconditional love. She was a longtime member of the Felicia Book Club.
She is survived by her son, Jesse H. Austin, III, and wife, Debbie, of Atlanta, Georgia, daughter, Kim Austin Harrell and husband, Jiles, of Clayton, NC, and daughter, Candy Austin Sherrill and husband, Skip, of Chocowinity, NC; grandchildren Lindsay Harrell, Jay Harrell and wife, Audrey, Emily Austin Orr and husband, Alex, Annie Austin, Kelsey Sherrill White and husband, Zack, and Melissa Sherrill and great-grandchildren, Austin Harrell and Ezra White. She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Alice Barbour of Clayton, NC and Betsy Stevens of Benson, NC. The family is grateful to Diana Czerman, her friend and caregiver, to the all the nurses and staff at Windsor Point Skilled Nursing who took exceptional care of her, and to Dr. Paul Stone.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 16 at 2:00, 411 N. Fayetteville St., Clayton, NC. Family will receive friends after the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of First Baptist Church, PO Box 35, Clayton, NC 27528 or to the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, 100 S. Church St., Clayton, NC 27520. Online condolences may be made to the Austin family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.
